Using Full Screen View in Word for Mac 2011

There's a new Full Screen view in Word for Mac 2011 that lets you edit or simply read a document without the clutter of the Office 2011 for Mac Ribbon, rulers, and other distractions. Full Screen view is actually two views in one: You can choose Reading mode or Writing mode.

Switching to Full Screen view in Word 2011 for Mac

You can display your document in Full Screen view.

The toolbar hides itself. Move the mouse to the top of the window to display the toolbar while working in Full Screen view. You can navigate by clicking the mouse, clicking in the Navigation pane, using arrow keys, and by using the navigation controls at the top of the window.

You can use the Media browser, the Toolbox, and custom toolbars in Full Screen view if you turn them on before switching to Full Screen view.

Full screen view uses a lot of video resources on your computer. If switching between Read and Write modes is sluggish or doesn't work, try to make more video RAM available by closing other windows.

Using Writing mode in Word 2011 for Mac

Writing mode reaches out to people who want a single, simplified toolbar to make basic Word documents. This simplified workspace is great for beginners. If you're one of the people who find Word's regular interface daunting, give Writing mode in Full Screen view a try. Another group likely be attracted to this new view is people who know keyboard shortcuts well enough that they don't rely on menus or toolbars and want to work in a clutter-free environment. Remember, you can use keyboard shortcuts and right-click in your document while in Writing mode.

These controls appear only in Full Screen view:

Write: Switch to Writing mode (also called Writing view). Nothing happens when you click this button if you are already in Writing mode.

Read: Switch to Reading mode (also called Reading view).

Options:

Find: Changes the toolbar into the Search input field.

Track Changes:Toggles track changes on or off.

Show Comments and Changes:Submenus take you through tracked comments and reviewing.

Show Original /Final Document:Submenus let you accept and reject tracked changes.

Toolbox and Media Browser:Toggle these tools on or off.

Background: Choose a background from the pop-up menu.

Using Reading Mode in Word 2011 for Mac

Reading mode is the simplest of Word's views. Word's Navigation pane displays to the left. If your screen is wide enough, your document displays as two pages side-by-side, but you can toggle the display to Show One Page on the Options menu.

In Reading mode, you have most of the options of Writing mode. Instead of Toolbox and Media Browser, there is a Margin control menu. When a single page is displayed you can choose from these turning animations: fade through, page curl, or none.

When in Reading mode, you can’t edit your document, but you still have access to lookup and research functions by right-clicking in the document.